Just days after Hurricane Helene swept through the region, Florida is bracing for the arrival of Hurricane Milton, which is rapidly intensifying as it approaches the state's coastline. Meteorologists have issued warnings of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and potential storm surges that could cause widespread flooding and damage. Residents are being urged to prepare for evacuation in vulnerable areas, as Milton threatens to bring severe weather conditions to Florida. Authorities are mobilizing emergency response teams to manage the anticipated impact and ensure public safety as the storm's trajectory becomes clearer.

After Helene, Hurricane Milton Threatens Florida

Hurricane Milton Threatens Florida After Pummeling Mexico's Gulf

Hurricane Milton, the Category 4 storm headed toward the southeastern United States, could be the worst to hit Florida in a century, President Joe Biden said Tuesday (Oct 8).

"This could be the worst storm to hit Florida in over a century. God willing it won't be, but that's what it's looking like right now," Biden told reporters at the White House.

"You should evacuate now, now, now. You should have already evacuated. It's a matter of life and death, and that's not hyperbole," he said as advisers briefed him on the storm.

Biden said he had postponed a planned trip to Angola and Germany this week because "I just don't think I can be out of the country at this time."

He said he would try to reschedule the visits.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-intensifying-to-category-5-hurricane-milton-targets-florida-765412">Watch |&nbsp;US: Intensifying To Category 5, Hurricane Milton Targets Florida</a>

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Biden also condemned misinformation that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his party have spread about hurricane relief efforts ahead of next month's US election.

"Those who do it, do it to try to damage the administration," Biden said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-milton-strongest-of-2024-might-have-breached-cat-6-cutoff-expert-says-765514">Also read |&nbsp;Hurricane Milton, 'strongest of 2024', might have breached 'Cat 6' cutoff, expert says</a>

He said that "we can take care of ourselves" but expressed concern about the impact that it could have on the ground.&nbsp;

"It's un-American. It really is. People are scared to death. People know their lives are at stake, all that they've worked for, all that they own, all that they value," he said.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Hurricane Milton, the Category 4 storm headed toward the southeastern United States, could be the worst to hit Florida in a century, President Joe Biden said Tuesday (Oct 8).

Hurricane Milton, the Category 4 storm headed toward the southeastern United States, could be the worst to hit Florida in a century, President Joe Biden said Tuesday (Oct 8). "This could be the worst storm to hit Florida in over a century. God willing it won't be, but that's what it's looking like right now," Biden told reporters at the White House. "You should evacuate now, now, now. You should have already evacuated. It's a matter of life and death, and that's not hyperbole," he said as advisers briefed him on the storm. Biden said he had postponed a planned trip to Angola and Germany this week because "I just don't think I can be out of the country at this time." He said he would try to reschedule the visits. Watch | US: Intensifying To Category 5, Hurricane Milton Targets Florida × Biden also condemned misinformation that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his party have spread about hurricane relief efforts ahead of next month's US election. "Those who do it, do it to try to damage the administration," Biden said. Also read | Hurricane Milton, 'strongest of 2024', might have breached 'Cat 6' cutoff, expert says He said that "we can take care of ourselves" but expressed concern about the impact that it could have on the ground. "It's un-American. It really is. People are scared to death. People know their lives are at stake, all that they've worked for, all that they own, all that they value," he said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Biden warns Hurricane Milton could be Florida's worst storm in century

Hurricane Milton exploded in strength to become a potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm bound for Florida. Watch in for more details!

US: Intensifying To Category 5, Hurricane Milton Targets Florida

Ahead of the ‘catastrophic’ Hurricane Milton, the Tampa Bay mayor issued a dire warning for residents who paid no heed to the calls for evacuation.&nbsp;

Mayor Jane Castor said on CNN, “If you choose to stay … you are going to die.” Castor warned the people of the “literally catastrophic” hurricane that was heading towards Florida.

Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm,, is likely to make landfall as early as Wednesday, October 9. It is expected to be deadlier than Hurricane Helene, which wreaked havoc in the Sunshine State last week, claiming over 230 lives.

Mayor Castor urged residents not to try to brave the storm; otherwise, it is going to be fatal. She told people in the evacuation zones to flee from the area.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hurricane-milton-strongest-of-2024-might-have-breached-cat-6-cutoff-expert-says-765514">Hurricane Milton, 'strongest of 2024', might have breached 'Cat 6' cutoff, expert says</a>

“I can tell you right now they might have done that in others, there’s never been one like this,” Castor said. “And Helene was a wake-up call, this is literally catastrophic.”

<h2>'This is not survivable'</h2>

“And I can say without any dramatization whatsoever if you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re gonna die,” added Castor, who has remained in office since 2019.

According to reports, Milton is the second-strongest Gulf hurricane ever recorded. Experts have predicted powerful winds at 180 mph accompanied by heavy downpours. The storm is likely to become stronger as it nears the Florida coast.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-meteorologist-fights-back-tears-while-reporting-hurricane-milton-update-765517">Watch: Meteorologist fights back tears while reporting Hurricane Milton update</a>

Castor noted that the storm could result in tides as high as 10-12 feet as per some predictions. Hurricane Helene recorded a tidal surge of 6 feet, which was “literally devastating to so many in our coastal area,” Castor said.

“This is something that I’ve never seen in my life and I can tell you anyone born and raised in the Tampa Bay area has never seen anything like this before,” Castor emphasised. “People need to get out.”

“If we have this predicted storm surge, this is not survivable,” she added.

Meteorologists are including the storm in the top five for strongest hurricanes in the Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean.

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8PM EDT: This is nothing short of astronomical. I am at a loss for words to meteorologically describe you the storms small eye and intensity. 897mb pressure with 180 MPH max sustained winds and gusts 200+ MPH. This is now the 4th strongest hurricane ever recorded by pressure on… <a href="https://t.co/QFdqFYFI7o">pic.twitter.com/QFdqFYFI7o</a>
— Noah Bergren (@NbergWX) <a href="https://twitter.com/NbergWX/status/1843444771135861007?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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A meteorologist wrote on X, “I am at a loss for words to meteorologically describe you the storm's small eye and intensity.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Ahead of the ‘catastrophic’ Hurricane Milton, the Tampa Bay mayor issued a dire warning for residents who paid no heed to the calls for evacuation. Mayor Jane Castor said on CNN, “If you choose to stay … you are going to die.

Ahead of the ‘catastrophic’ Hurricane Milton, the Tampa Bay mayor issued a dire warning for residents who paid no heed to the calls for evacuation. Mayor Jane Castor said on CNN, “If you choose to stay … you are going to die.” Castor warned the people of the “literally catastrophic” hurricane that was heading towards Florida. Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm,, is likely to make landfall as early as Wednesday, October 9. It is expected to be deadlier than Hurricane Helene, which wreaked havoc in the Sunshine State last week, claiming over 230 lives. Mayor Castor urged residents not to try to brave the storm; otherwise, it is going to be fatal. She told people in the evacuation zones to flee from the area. Also read | Hurricane Milton, 'strongest of 2024', might have breached 'Cat 6' cutoff, expert says “I can tell you right now they might have done that in others, there’s never been one like this,” Castor said. “And Helene was a wake-up call, this is literally catastrophic.” 'This is not survivable' “And I can say without any dramatization whatsoever if you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you’re gonna die,” added Castor, who has remained in office since 2019. According to reports, Milton is the second-strongest Gulf hurricane ever recorded. Experts have predicted powerful winds at 180 mph accompanied by heavy downpours. The storm is likely to become stronger as it nears the Florida coast. Also read | Watch: Meteorologist fights back tears while reporting Hurricane Milton update Castor noted that the storm could result in tides as high as 10-12 feet as per some predictions. Hurricane Helene recorded a tidal surge of 6 feet, which was “literally devastating to so many in our coastal area,” Castor said. “This is something that I’ve never seen in my life and I can tell you anyone born and raised in the Tampa Bay area has never seen anything like this before,” Castor emphasised. “People need to get out.” “If we have this predicted storm surge, this is not survivable,” she added. Meteorologists are including the storm in the top five for strongest hurricanes in the Atlantic, Gulf, and Caribbean. 8PM EDT: This is nothing short of astronomical. I am at a loss for words to meteorologically describe you the storms small eye and intensity. 897mb pressure with 180 MPH max sustained winds and gusts 200+ MPH. This is now the 4th strongest hurricane ever recorded by pressure on… pic.twitter.com/QFdqFYFI7o — Noah Bergren (@NbergWX) October 8, 2024 × A meteorologist wrote on X, “I am at a loss for words to meteorologically describe you the storm's small eye and intensity.” (With inputs from agencies)

‘You are going to die’: Tampa mayor issues a chilling warning as Florida braces for Hurricane Milton

Citizens in the US state of Florida were warned to evacuate to safer locations due to the impending, life-threatening Hurricane Milton. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton was upgraded&nbsp;into a Category 5 storm in just over an hour on Monday (Oct 7) as the largest evacuation drive in nearly a decade&nbsp;was pushed by the state, according to a NY Post report.&nbsp;

Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s emergency management division, said residents needed to be prepared for the “largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma,” when seven million Floridians were ordered to evacuate.

Authorities urged more than 15 million Floridians to&nbsp;leave their homes in the evacuation zone and write their names and personal information on their arms in permanent marker so that their bodies can be identified in the worst-case scenario.&nbsp;

Milton had maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph) over the southern Gulf of Mexico. It&nbsp;could make landfall Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area, and could remain a hurricane as it moves across central Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean.

“It’s not uncommon to get a hurricane threat in October along the west coast of Florida, but forming all the way in the southwest Gulf and then striking Florida is a little bit more unusual,” said&nbsp;Daniel Brown, a hurricane specialist at NHC.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tropical-storm-milton-gains-hurricane-status-765161">Watch |&nbsp;Tropical Storm Milton Gains Hurricane Status</a>

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<h2>'Destruction could be compounded'</h2>

Hurricane Milton comes in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene which killed at least 230 people during its sojourn to the&nbsp;Appalachian Mountains through northern Florida.&nbsp;

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned of a potentially higher storm surge and more power outages from Milton compared to Helene, and said destruction from Helene could be compounded.

"There are some areas with a lot of debris that is there, so if you get hit with a major hurricane, what's going to happen to that debris? It's going to increase the damage dramatically," DeSantis said.

"This is all hands on deck to get that debris where it needs to be."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/milton-strengthens-into-hurricane-florida-braces-for-impact-765047">Also read |&nbsp;Milton strengthens into hurricane, Florida braces for impact</a>

The Tampa Bay area is still recovering from the extensive damage cause by Helene. At least 12 people had perished in the area with a string of&nbsp;barrier islands that stretch from St. Petersburg to Clearwater facing the most destruction.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Citizens in the US state of Florida were warned to evacuate to safer locations due to the impending, life-threatening Hurricane Milton. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton was upgraded into a Category 5 storm in just over an hour on Monday (Oct 7) as the largest evacuation drive in nearly a decade was pushed by the state, according to a NY Post report.

Citizens in the US state of Florida were warned to evacuate to safer locations due to the impending, life-threatening Hurricane Milton. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Milton was upgraded into a Category 5 storm in just over an hour on Monday (Oct 7) as the largest evacuation drive in nearly a decade was pushed by the state, according to a NY Post report. Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida’s emergency management division, said residents needed to be prepared for the “largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma,” when seven million Floridians were ordered to evacuate. Authorities urged more than 15 million Floridians to leave their homes in the evacuation zone and write their names and personal information on their arms in permanent marker so that their bodies can be identified in the worst-case scenario. Milton had maximum sustained winds of 150 mph (240 kph) over the southern Gulf of Mexico. It could make landfall Wednesday in the Tampa Bay area, and could remain a hurricane as it moves across central Florida toward the Atlantic Ocean. “It’s not uncommon to get a hurricane threat in October along the west coast of Florida, but forming all the way in the southwest Gulf and then striking Florida is a little bit more unusual,” said Daniel Brown, a hurricane specialist at NHC. Watch | Tropical Storm Milton Gains Hurricane Status × 'Destruction could be compounded' Hurricane Milton comes in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene which killed at least 230 people during its sojourn to the Appalachian Mountains through northern Florida. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned of a potentially higher storm surge and more power outages from Milton compared to Helene, and said destruction from Helene could be compounded. "There are some areas with a lot of debris that is there, so if you get hit with a major hurricane, what's going to happen to that debris? It's going to increase the damage dramatically," DeSantis said. "This is all hands on deck to get that debris where it needs to be." Also read | Milton strengthens into hurricane, Florida braces for impact The Tampa Bay area is still recovering from the extensive damage cause by Helene. At least 12 people had perished in the area with a string of barrier islands that stretch from St. Petersburg to Clearwater facing the most destruction. (With inputs from agencies)

Hurricane Milton: Largest evacuation in a decade ordered in Florida as Category 5 storm nears

Florida prepared on Sunday for its largest evacuation since 2017 as Hurricane Milton intensified in the Gulf of Mexico on its path toward the U.S. state's western coast, coming on the heels of the devastating Hurricane Helene.

Milton, which strengthened from a tropical storm to hurricane on Sunday, was projected to make landfall on Wednesday as a major hurricane, likely hitting near the heavily populated Tampa Bay area, the US&nbsp;National Hurricane Center said.

The new hurricane was expected to affect areas already hit hard by Helene, which made landfall further north on Sept. 26.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:88,&quot;y&quot;:145,&quot;w&quot;:470,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:121,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1835}" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-one-year-of-gaza-war-israel-bombed-over-40000-hamas-targets-765036">In one year of Gaza war, Israel bombed over 40,000 Hamas targets</a>

Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida's emergency management division, urged people to prepare for the "largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma."

"I highly encourage you to evacuate," Guthrie told Floridians in a press conference.

Milton was about 780 miles (1,255 km) west-southwest of Tampa as of 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday (0000 GMT on Monday), packing maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km) and moving to the east toward Florida at 7 mph (11 kph), the National Hurricane Center said.

A hurricane watch was in effect for the northern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

The wind speed made it a Category 1 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, though it was likely to be upgraded. The private forecaster AccuWeather expected it would rate a 4 out of 5 on its own scale, capable of widespread catastrophic flooding.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned of a potentially higher storm surge and more power outages from Milton compared to Helene, and said destruction from Helene could be compounded.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-markets-surge-as-8-trillion-rally-faces-key-tests-765028">Global markets surge as $8 trillion rally faces key tests</a>

"There are some areas with a lot of debris that is there, so if you get hit with a major hurricane, what's going to happen to that debris? It's going to increase the damage dramatically," DeSantis said. "This is all hands on deck to get that debris where it needs to be."

Pinellas County, which includes the city of St. Petersburg, on Monday was likely to issue mandatory evacuations for more than 500,000 people in the lowest lying areas, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told a press conference.

He urged people to heed evacuation orders after he said too many ignored them for Helene, resulting in 12 deaths in the county and 1,500 emergency calls that were unable to be answered.

The county already ordered the evacuation of six hospitals, 25 nursing homes and 44 assisted living facilities totaling 6,600 patients, said Cathie Perkins, director of the county's emergency management. School was canceled from Monday to Wednesday.

"We already will be rebuilding for years because of Hurricane Helene, and that will be exacerbated by the impacts of this storm," St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said. "Remember, Hurricane Helene was 100 miles (160 km) away from us, moving in a different direction. This is a powerful Cat 2 or Cat 3 hurricane headed directly for us."

North Carolina, Florida and much of the South are still recovering from the massive destruction caused by Helene, which killed more than 200 people across six states, making it the deadliest named storm to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina killed nearly 1,400 people in 2005.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Sunday he ordered another 500 active-duty troops to move into western North Carolina and assist with the Helene response and recovery efforts, increasing the number to 1,500.&nbsp;

They join a massive state and local recovery effort plus 7,000 people from the federal workforce and 6,100 National Guard personnel, the White House said.

The Biden administration has approved $137 million in federal assistance and promised more aid would be forthcoming, as the economic damage is projected to soar into the billions of dollars.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

Florida prepared on Sunday for its largest evacuation since 2017 as Hurricane Milton intensified in the Gulf of Mexico on its path toward the U.S. state's western coast, coming on the heels of the devastating Hurricane Helene.

Florida prepared on Sunday for its largest evacuation since 2017 as Hurricane Milton intensified in the Gulf of Mexico on its path toward the U.S. state's western coast, coming on the heels of the devastating Hurricane Helene. Milton, which strengthened from a tropical storm to hurricane on Sunday, was projected to make landfall on Wednesday as a major hurricane, likely hitting near the heavily populated Tampa Bay area, the US National Hurricane Center said. The new hurricane was expected to affect areas already hit hard by Helene, which made landfall further north on Sept. 26. Also read | In one year of Gaza war, Israel bombed over 40,000 Hamas targets Kevin Guthrie, director of Florida's emergency management division, urged people to prepare for the "largest evacuation that we have seen most likely since 2017 Hurricane Irma." "I highly encourage you to evacuate," Guthrie told Floridians in a press conference. Milton was about 780 miles (1,255 km) west-southwest of Tampa as of 7 p.m. EDT on Sunday (0000 GMT on Monday), packing maximum sustained winds of 85 mph (140 km) and moving to the east toward Florida at 7 mph (11 kph), the National Hurricane Center said. A hurricane watch was in effect for the northern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. The wind speed made it a Category 1 on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale, though it was likely to be upgraded. The private forecaster AccuWeather expected it would rate a 4 out of 5 on its own scale, capable of widespread catastrophic flooding. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned of a potentially higher storm surge and more power outages from Milton compared to Helene, and said destruction from Helene could be compounded. Also read | Global markets surge as $8 trillion rally faces key tests "There are some areas with a lot of debris that is there, so if you get hit with a major hurricane, what's going to happen to that debris? It's going to increase the damage dramatically," DeSantis said. "This is all hands on deck to get that debris where it needs to be." Pinellas County, which includes the city of St. Petersburg, on Monday was likely to issue mandatory evacuations for more than 500,000 people in the lowest lying areas, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told a press conference. He urged people to heed evacuation orders after he said too many ignored them for Helene, resulting in 12 deaths in the county and 1,500 emergency calls that were unable to be answered. The county already ordered the evacuation of six hospitals, 25 nursing homes and 44 assisted living facilities totaling 6,600 patients, said Cathie Perkins, director of the county's emergency management. School was canceled from Monday to Wednesday. "We already will be rebuilding for years because of Hurricane Helene, and that will be exacerbated by the impacts of this storm," St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch said. "Remember, Hurricane Helene was 100 miles (160 km) away from us, moving in a different direction. This is a powerful Cat 2 or Cat 3 hurricane headed directly for us." North Carolina, Florida and much of the South are still recovering from the massive destruction caused by Helene, which killed more than 200 people across six states, making it the deadliest named storm to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina killed nearly 1,400 people in 2005. U.S. President Joe Biden said on Sunday he ordered another 500 active-duty troops to move into western North Carolina and assist with the Helene response and recovery efforts, increasing the number to 1,500. They join a massive state and local recovery effort plus 7,000 people from the federal workforce and 6,100 National Guard personnel, the White House said. The Biden administration has approved $137 million in federal assistance and promised more aid would be forthcoming, as the economic damage is projected to soar into the billions of dollars. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Milton strengthens into hurricane, Florida braces for impact

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